Category Archives: Holidays

In an effort to make holiday meals a little simpler and lighter, my mom tried this recipe for Thanksgiving dinner one year. Everyone liked it, so she continues to serve it for holiday meals. It’s a fluffier casserole version of the heavier, traditional mashed potatoes, and can be made a day ahead. Source: The Complete Family Cookbook.Continue reading →

If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and delicious shortbread cookie, you’ve got to try this! This has become one of the must-bake holiday cookies I make every year. It’s a very easy and delicious alternative to traditional shortbread. Everyone inhales them and often ask for the recipe. Slightly adapted from: Sunset Cookbook of Favorite Recipes.Continue reading →

This is a rich, homemade eggnog! This recipe comes from one of the old cookbooks that belonged to Jim’s sister Rita. He recalls that the (now unknown) cookbook was nearly falling apart.Continue reading →

The original source for this recipe is Chef Mike Roy, probably during the 1970s. My mom made this many times for company. One Christmas, I took it to our neighbors’ annual extended family Christmas party. Our neighbors returned the empty pan saying they polished it off by themselves (in other words… they loved it!). Variations might include almond extract in place of vanilla (if using cherry pie filling), or an apple pie filling in place of the cherries. It can be served hot or cold, but, like most fruit cobbler-type desserts, I recommend serving it warm… with ice cream!Continue reading →

This is a wonderful cookie I discovered more than 10 years ago at the Epicurious Recipe Swap (formerly called Gail’s Recipe Swap). It has become one of the “must have” cookies during the holidays, are often the first to disappear, and look beautiful on a cookie platter. If you are looking for a special cookie for gift giving, a holiday party, or a cookie exchange, give this one a try!Continue reading →